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Beauty Glossary

Here at Ideal World we are keen to introduce you to amazing new beauty products that keep you looking and feeling incredible, both inside and out! We are constantly striving to bring you the latest beauty lines, however we understand that with constant new additions, unfamiliar ingredients and unusual terminology, it can be a little overwhelming to understand the contents of a product.

It can sometimes feel as though the ingredients list on a bottle are in another language, which is why we have created our Beauty Glossary. That way when you come across a new product, you’ll be confident with what you’re buying. So once you’ve topped up on your terminology, don’t forget to shop of extensive beauty range!

Anagen Phase

The active hair growth phase.

Acai Berry (Euterpe Oleracea)

The Acai berry is a natural antioxidant and rich in Vitamin C. This ingredient helps fight against free radicals which promote premature aging.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 (Argireline™)

A hexapeptide which helps reduces the appearance of expression wrinkles, especially in the forehead and around the eyes. It is a combination of 6 amino acids to help to relax facial expressions leading to a temporary reduction in the appearance of superficial lines and wrinkles.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

A peptide that helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid)

Topically used to gently remove dead skin cells to reveal healthy skin cells. Skin is left feeling and looking polished.

Allantoin

In skincare, helps calm, soothe and regenerate.

Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis)

The extracts of the plant Aloe are known to have many uses as an ingredient in skincare products. It can serve as an antioxidant and an antinflammatory. It is rich in many minerals and nutrients including Vitamins A, B12, C and E. In skincare, it helps condition and protect as well as helping to retain and lock in moisture, ideal to help soothe and hydrate dry and sensitive skin.

AnaGain™

An active ingredient used in hair treatments. It is based on organic pea sprouts and helps provide essential biomimetic nutrients when applied to the hair and scalp. These pea sprout nutrients help the hair appear thicker and fuller. This compound ingredient won Advanced Ingredient Award in 2014 at Beauty Beyond in Paris.

Antioxidants

A group of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that help protect the body from forming free radicals, which are responsible for cell damage and skin ageing.

Argireline™ (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3)

A hexapeptide which helps reduce the appearance of expression wrinkles, especially in the forehead and around the eyes. It is a combination of 6 amino acids to help to relax facial expressions leading to a temporary reduction in the appearance of superficial lines and wrinkles.

BB Cream (Blemish Balm)

A multi-tasking all-in-one product offering colour foundation and skincare ingredients, often with the added benefit of a Sun Protection Factor (SPF).

(BHA) Beta Hydroxy Acid

Topically used to gently remove dead skin cells to reveal healthy skin cells. Skin is left feeling and looking polished.

Catagen Phase

The degeneration hair phase (hair which about to fall out and new hair come in).

Caviar

An extract of the eggs of sturgeon, of the family Acipenseridae. It has conditioning and hydrating properties and can help improve the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

CC Cream (Colour Correcting Cream)

Usually a tinted moisturiser to help improve uneven skin tone, often with Sun Protection Factor (SPF).

A group of waxy lipid molecules, making up a large percentage of the skin and contributing to the protective function of the skin. With age, the levels of ceramide naturally deplete.

Chamomile (Camomile)

Several daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. Extracts from the plants are known for their soothing and calming effects on skin.

Cococ Nucifera Oil (Coconut Oil)

Extracted from mature coconuts this oil is a popular choice for cosmetic products used to moisturise and soften skin.

Chlorophyll

The green coloured pigment in most plants that harnesses the sun’s energy in photosynthesis. In skincare, extracts from chlorophyll rich plants such as algae are used to help firm and energise the skin.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein which makes up around 30% of the proteins in the human body. It is understood that collagen is the primary structural protein found throughout the body but especially in the skin. It plays a role in the body of the glue that helps hold us together. Collagen levels deplete with age, leading to loss of skin elasticity, lines and wrinkles.

Contouring

A technique using make-up/colour cosmetics to enhance and define facial features and structure.

CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)

An anti-oxidant which has a small molecular structure so is easily absorbed by the skin. It is naturally occurring in the body and when used in skincare it helps to boost skin repair and regeneration maintaining the condition of the skin.

Elastin

Elastin is an elastic protein of the connective tissue and ligaments in the body. It is responsible for the elasticity and flexibility of the skin. Elastin is also used as an ingredient in beauty products as small peptides, poly peptides and amino acids sometimes extracted from marine sources.

Emollient

Moisturising to the skin. Also softening, soothing and relaxing. Emollients are cosmetic ingredients that are used to help make the external layers of the skin (epidermis) softer and more pliable. They increase the skin's hydration (water content) by helping to reduce evaporation.

Exfoliate / Exfoliant

The process/substance to assist in removing dead cells from the surface of the skin and improving its appearance.

Glycation

A process that occurs when sugar molecules attack and break down skin proteins such as collagen. This process is recognised as a contributor to signs of ageing in the appearance of the skin.

Glycerin

A humectant which attracts moisture to the skin. It is used to improve skin smoothness.

Glycolic Acid (Hydroxyacetic Acid)

Part of the alpha hydroxy acid family (AHA), Glycolic Acid may help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Green Tea Extract

An antioxidant. Used in skincare products, green tea extract helps to maintain the appearance of skin elasticity and bounce.

Hexapeptide

see Peptides.

Hydrolysed Silk (Sericin)

Protein substance formed by converting silk, which is the soft, lustrous thread obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. Silk protein can have water-binding properties for skin.

Jojoba Oil

This oil is extracted from the bean of the fruit of the Jojoba plant. Used as an ingredient for moisturisers as it is easily absorbed by the skin.

Hylauronic Acid

Helps with cell repair and is able to absorb up to 1000 times its own weight of water, plumping the appearance of the skin. As such, hyaluronic acid has found its way into many skincare products, particularly anti-wrinkle formulations.

Lipids

Fats which form an essential part of the structure of living cells. They contain essential fatty acids, such as Omega 3, 6 and 9.

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

A purified type of clay which has a large molecular structure and acts to smoothing over the creases in the Stratum Corneum which gives an even finish to the skin, temporarily reducing the appearance of fine lines / wrinkles.

Matrxyl 3000™

A peptide which can help improve skin synthesis and improve elasticity.

Microdermabrasion

A mechanical way to exfoliate and rejuvenate the surface of the skin improving its appearance.

Niacinamide (Nicotinic Acid/Vitamin B3)

In skincare, contrubutes to improving skin tone and the appearance of wrinkles by increasing micro-circulation and elasticity.

Organic

Organic skincare ingredients are produced without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides or other artificial chemicals. Organic ingredients are certified by regulated certification bodies such as the Soil Association in the UK.

Organic

Organic skincare ingredients are produced without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides or other artificial chemicals. Organic ingredients are certified by regulated certification bodies such as the Soil Association in the UK.

Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5)

A form of vitamin B, it is humectant, emollient and moisturiser. Emollients are cosmetic ingredients that are used to help make the external layers of the skin (epidermis) softer and more pliable. They increase the skin's hydration (water content) by reducing evaporation.

Paraben

A generic term for chemical preservatives found in small quantities in some cosmetic products to prevent the development of bacteria and harmful microorganisms.

Peptides

Molecules of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. In skincare, these are mostly synthetically engineered to ensure effectiveness and stability. They are commonly used for moisture binding and improving the appearance of skin.

Quercus Alba Bark Extract

A toning astringent ingredient extracted from the bark of oak trees.

Retinol

An antioxidant derived from of Vitamin A, retinol may help to temporarily reduce the visible signs of skin ageing.

Salicylic Acid

Used in cosmetic products as a skin conditioner.

Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)

Extracted from the nuts of the Shea tree, the Shea nuts are traditionally crushed and boiled to extract the Shea butter, which has its unconditional aficionados all over the world. It is rich in unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids and contains phytosterols, vitamins D and E, Provitamin A and allantoin.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

The SPF rating of a skincare product is the measure of protection to the skin from sunburn-producing UV rays. The higher the SPF rating, the more the protection offered.

Spirulina Extract

Spirulina is a blue-green micro-algae. It is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, betacarotene, and iron which nourishes the skin making it an excellent product for anti-aging. Used in skincare it acts as a skin conditioner.

Syn®-ake

A wrinkle smoothing compound based on a synthetic tripeptide that mimics the effect of the Waglerin 1, a peptide found in the venom of the Temple Viper. This ingredient is a non-invasive temporary treatment for wrinkles.

Telogen Phase

The resting phase of the hair growth cycle when hair has fallen out and no hair is visible.

Tetrapeptide-7

A synthetic peptide combining four amino acids. Helps to suppress the production of interleukins (inflammatory response) which can cause a breakdown in the protein bonds within the skin (glycation) which affects the skins support system creating sagging.

Titanium Oxide

An ingredient which provides effective protection of the skin from UVA and UVB rays and commonly used in sunscreens and other skincare products with an SPF factor.

Tocopherol

Used in cosmetic products as a source of Vitamin E, a strong antioxidant.

Vitamins

Help protect the skin against damage. They can help reduce the visible signs of lines and wrinkles, prevent UV damage and boost elasticity.

Vitamin A

Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. Improves elasticity.

Vitamin C

Contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. In skincare, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and supports the prevention of UV damage. Contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of Vitamin E.

Vitamin E

Contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and a skin conditioner.

Zinc

Within foods / supplements. Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. RDA Contributes to the normal metabolism of Vitamin A. Contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Zinc has a role in the process of cell division. Zinc contributes to normal DNA synthesis. Zinc contributes to normal protein synthesis.

Zinc Oxide

An ingredient which provides effective protection of the skin from UVA and UVB rays and commonly used in sunscreens and other skincare products with an SPF factor.